Ler Doh Township
Since March 28th 2021, after the airstrikes on Day Bu Noh village, Lu Thaw Township, Mu Traw District,[2] Tatmadaw[3] jets and drones have been flying regularly over Kheh Der village tract,[4] Ler Doh Towship, Kler Lwee Htoo District [presumably on reconnaissance missions]. It also happened on April 20th 2021. Local IDPs [who were displaced because of fighting and indiscriminate shelling by Tatmadaw troops] and villagers are now afraid that the Tatmadaw will carry out airstrikes in their area like they did in Day Bu Noh village [airstrikes are usually preceded by reconnaissance flyovers].
Since early April, the Tatmadaw based in Ler Doh army camp has been sending more soldiers, as well as military supplies and ammunition to Mu Traw District. These reinforcements usually travel on foot on the military road between Ler Doh and Mu Theh area. According to a KHRG researcher, they seem to be heading to Mu Traw District’s frontlines [territory controlled by the Karen National Union - KNU].[5] The Tatmadaw sent around 270 soldiers [local villagers assume it was an entire Light Infantry Division - LID][6] and 140 horses [to carry military supplies, rations and ammunition] to Mu Traw District [KHRG was not able to establish when these soldiers left their camp].
On April 16th 2021, at about 6 am, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)[7] attacked these Tatmadaw soldiers in Pwa Ga Kyoh area, near T’Kaw Der village, Keh Der village tract, Ler Doh Township. The fighting lasted for about five minutes. During the fighting, the Tatmadaw indiscriminately fired mortar shells at nearby villages. Fortunately, there was no one in the villages because local communities had previously fled to the forest [due to fighting, indiscriminate shelling and fear of airstrikes]. However, the fighting and shelling caused security concerns among IDPs in the area. According to information received by the villagers, there were no casualties, but three Tatmadaw horses were killed during the fighting.
The increased Tatmadaw presence in Ler Doh Township also resulted in skirmishes between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO).[8] On May 4th 2021, fighting between Tatmadaw and KNDO troops broke out in Eee Tha Plaw Place, Kheh Der village tract, Ler Doh Township. IDPs from Kheh Der village, Kheh Der village tract heard the sound of gunfire, as well as several mortar explosions. The fighting did not reach the displacement site so no IDPs were injured. Villagers do not know whether [KNDO or Tatmadaw] soldiers sustained injuries during the fighting.
IDPs in Ler Doh Township cannot return home due to the increasing presence of Tatmadaw soldiers; flyovers by observation drones and jets; and on-going fighting between Tatmadaw soldiers and the KNLA/KNDO in the area. At this time of the year, the villagers should be preparing their paddy farms [the farms need to be cleaned ahead of the rice planting season in June-July]. However, they are now hiding in the forest so they cannot work on their farms. Because of this situation, they are deeply concerned about their current and future livelihoods.